Reginald Chan, 36, Jailed for Sexual Abuse of Young Girl

A West Sussex investigation that began with public complaints of indecent exposure opposite an elementary school has concluded at Lewes Crown Court with a custodial sentence and lifetime statutory monitoring for a local resident.

Reginald Chan, 36, formerly of Carpenters, Billingshurst, appeared before the court following an extensive digital forensics operation conducted under Operation Colwell by Sussex Police.

The case originated in November 2022 when parents on the morning primary school run alerted authorities after observing Chan exposing himself through a residential window facing the school grounds. Initial police intervention resulted in his arrest and a thorough physical search of his living quarters. Investigating officers encountered severe squalor inside the premises, requiring a search to locate and secure hidden hardware.

In total, police forensic specialists seized and analysed more than 50 computer and electronic devices. Digital triage of the hardware uncovered child sexual abuse material, prohibited images, extreme pornography, and recorded evidence documenting historic sexual assaults against a young female victim. Following his initial arrest, Chan breached a court-mandated Sexual Risk Order prohibiting the possession of electronic devices, resulting in secondary charges when further hardware was recovered by detectives.

Following a trial in September 2025, Chan was convicted of three counts of exposure. Prior to final sentencing, he entered guilty pleas to three counts of sexual assault on a child under the age of 13, three counts of possessing indecent images of children, one count of possessing prohibited images, one count of possessing extreme pornography, one count of voyeurism, and 14 counts of breaching a Sexual Risk Order.

The judge imposed a five-and-a-half-year custodial sentence alongside an extended licence period of two years. Chan was also placed on the sex offenders register and made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order. The order strictly restricts his unsupervised access to digital equipment and prohibits any contact with minors.

Reporting on the outcome for Daily Dazzling Dawn, the conviction highlights the role of public reporting in initiating critical safeguarding interventions. Detectives confirmed that the young victim received support from specialist officers throughout court proceedings.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Kay Hutchings told journalists that police take reports of sexual offending extremely seriously and noted that after his initial arrest in 2022, Chan was subjected to strict bail conditions to ensure he had no access to children. DCI Hutchings added that Chan is now serving a custodial sentence and under an order preventing access to children and restricting computer use, urging anyone with further information or concerns regarding Chan's activities to contact Sussex Police quoting Operation Colwell.

With judicial proceedings now concluded, law enforcement focus shifts to monitoring compliance with Chan's lifelong statutory restrictions upon his eventual release under licence Supervision.